Sicilian pond turtle
Sicilian pond turtle | |
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Emys trinacris from Gorghi Tondi, Province of Trapani, Sicily. | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Testudines |
Suborder: | Cryptodira |
Superfamily: | Testudinoidea |
Family: | Emydidae |
Genus: | Emys |
Species: | E. trinacris
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Binomial name | |
Emys trinacris Fritz, Fattizzo, Guicking, Tripepi, Pennisi, Lenk, Joger & Wink, 2005
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The Sicilian pond turtle is only found in Sicily. |
The Sicilian pond turtle (Emys trinacris) is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is endemic to Sicily.
Etymology
The specific name, trinacris, is from the Greek word Trinacria, meaning "three-pointed", the earliest known name for the island of Sicily.
Subspecies
There are no subspecies of E. trinacris that are recognized as being valid.
Description
E. trinacris is a small turtle. Maximum straight carapace length is 14.5 cm (5.7 in). The features of the turtle can vary depending on the location of the turtle, for example “Moreover, coloration of Lago Preola turtles is rather uniform, whereas turtles from Torre Salsa exhibit considerable coloration polymorphism.” (Fritz et al., 2006). The reason for this is because of a disruption in the gene flow caused by anthropogenic activities like industrialization. Since there are obstacles in the way like roads and buildings migrating to different groups is more difficult for the turtles. E. trinacris differs from E. orbicularis by its distinct mitochondrial DNA.
Habitat
The preferred habitat of E. trinacris is freshwater in ponds, lakes, rivers, and swamps.